Cats & Sunderlands at RAF Greenock / Gourock 1940 - 44
 

Sorry to resurrect this, but I'd like to give it another week. With all the current Cat and Sunderland interest, there has to be someone out there with some info / contacts . . .

"Trying to track down information / people concerned with activities at RAF Greenock from when it was extablished in 1940 through to the end of the war.

Have already trawled the obvious source in PRO, and a variety of books.

Would be interested in people who worked there, memories, books / titles or whatever. More information on the type of work undertaken would also be welcome.

Greenock was a flying boat maintenance unit, moved from Calshot to a "safe" part of the UK in 1940. Much of its work was equipping ex-factory flying boats with essential RAF equipment (e.g. overload tanks and ASV)

I have fairly good information regarding the similar operation run by Saunders-Roe at Beaumaris, but nothing on the Scottish Aviation contributions also at Greenock. ("Catalina News" is on my "to do" list).

This is a personal interest, not a commercial one.

Info via here or PM

Thanks in advance

sd"

Just one more week . . .

RAF Greenock/Gourock
 

Sunday Driver,

I am afraid that this isn't going to help much, but there is an author who has written about WW2 and its effect on central Scotland. I read one of his books recently but can only recall the title was something like "In the present emergency" or something like that. I got the book from the local library, so when I can I'll pop in and try and find it again. The author's description of the Clydeside air raids was particularly interesting. He did make some mention of the RAF activities on the upper Clyde.

As I say, I'll try and find the book again.

Rgds
YS

Maybe someone else out there knows the book and author?

Just did a search on www.abebooks.com and came up with the one I remembered:

. THIS TIME OF CRISIS - GLASGOW, THE WEST OF SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH WESTERN APPROACHES IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR. (ISBN:1851585826)
Jeffrey, Andrew.

YS

You mention you have trawled various books. There is about a page on Greenock in each of "Action Stations Vol 7- Military Airfields of Scotland" and "Lion Rampant Winged" by Alan Robertson which is a History of Scotish Aviation Ltd. If you dont have copies PM me an address and I can send photocopies.

g45

YS

This is actually quite helpful - I know that RAF personnel at Greenock were involved in helping with the aftermath of the air raids on Greenock, and the Station Commander received a letter of thanks from (I think) the mayor. Also, about that time there were a number of awards made to NCOs / other ranks on the station. I should be able to track down the book from your link.

g45
Sounds interesting - see my PM

Many thanks

sd

Apologies for the delay. Will copy it and send on. Check your PMs.